Electric heated applicator tool

ABSTRACT

An electrically energized heat applicator tool for use in the affixing of iron-on type letters, symbols, and the like to a fabric, such as clothing, has a generally cigar-shaped handle provided with a ball and socket swivel joint and the front end thereof. A truncated conical heating head having a flat work contacting surface is supported on the swivel joint. The heating head has an electric heating coil embedded therein. The energization of the heating coil is controlled by a manual on-off switch in the handle. A stand is provided for supporting the tool for preheating as well as to rest the tool between uses in a manner to retain the heating head out of contact with surrounding materials or surfaces.

United States Patent 1191 Szolis 1451 Sept. 16, 1975 Walter J. Szolis, 373 Mayville Ave, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15226 [22] Filed: Apr. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 464,929

[76] Inventor:

521 US. c1. 219/242; 101/27; 156/579; 219/228; 219/240; 219/243; 219/533; 228/55 51 1111. (31. 11053 1/00; B44B 5/00; B23K 3/02 5/1951 'Schoenwald 219/240 X 5/1964 Bean 219/233 Primary ExaminerA. Bartis [5 7 1 ABSTRACT An electrically energized heat applicator tool for use in the affixing of iron-on type letters, symbols, and the like to a fabric, such as clothing, has a generally cigarshaped handle provided with a ball and socket swivel joint and the front end thereof. A truncated conical heating head having a flat work contacting surface is supported on the swivel joint. The heating head has an electric heating coil embedded therein. The energization of the heating coil is controlled by a manual onofi switch in the handle. A stand is provided for supporting the tool for preheating as well as to rest the tool between uses in a manner to retain the heating head out of contact with surrounding materials or surfaces.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 1'5 5 liL L OFF ON 1 ELECTRIC HEATED APPLICATQR TOOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I v This invention relates generally to heating devices and more particularlyto'a novel andimproved heat ap plicator device which is of a small pen-like size specifically adapted for 'usetin the affixing of iron-on letters or symbols to fabrics,suchas clothingand the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art' j l 7 Heat applying applicator devices of various types and configurations are known in the prior art'for use, for example, as soldering irons, paint removers, electric sealing devices, and the like, such devices being generally illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,529,760; 2,417,943; 521,766; and 2,619,575. While these devices may be suitable for their intended purpose, they are not readily utilizable with modern day type iron-on letters or symbols popular among various homeowners for c'ustomiz ing or repairing fabrics, such as clothing and the like where it is preferredthat heat be appliedsolely to the iron-on material and not the immediately surrounding material so 'as'to avoid any tendency ofburning such surrounding material.

At present, mo'st' homeowners utilize a conventional sole plate of a conventional iron in applying such iron on letters and symbols, this frequently being 'a' time consuming and frustratingjob 'duet'o the rigidiness of the iron, the size of the iron sole plate being used, and the weight of the iron which'must be held'byfthe homeowner performing the work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the constantly increasing popularity of iron-ontype letters ands'yr'nbols to be applied to fabrics such as clothing and the like, and recognizing the deficiencies'and disadvantages of presently available devices for applying such iron-on material, the present invention provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a lightweight and compact electrically energized heat applicator device which may be comfortably held in an individuals' hand and which has an electrically energized, heating head swivelly mounted relative to one end-of the handle for applying heat directly tothe iron-on material,the electricheating head being of a diameter to conveniently overlie the iron-on material being applied while safely being separated from the surrounding fabric on which it is being applied so to avoid burning or charring the same.

It is a feature of the presentinvention to provide an electrically energized heat applicator device for affixing iron-on type letters or symbols tofabrics, such as clothing and the like.

A further feature of the present invention provides an electrically energized heat applicator device which is of a lightweight and compact configuration adapted to be comfortably held in the hand of an individual in a manner providing accurate maneuvering control thereof.

A further feature of the present invention provides an electrically energized heat applicator device having a heating head swivelly mounted relative to the handle providing accurate manipulation of the handle and heating head by the individual to properly apply just the correct amount of heat and pressure to iron-on material being affixed to fabrics.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides an electrically energized heat applicator device which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore maybe readilymanufactured at a relatively low costand by simple manufacturing methods.

. Yet still a further, feature of the present invention provides an electrically energized heat applicator device which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order. a

I Still yet a further feature of the present invention provides an electrically energized heat applicator device which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance, and one which is easy to use and reliable and eff cient in operation. I

. Yet still a further feature of the=present invention provides anelectrically energized heat-applicator device which can by manufactured and retailed at asufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description. i I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE'DRAWING'S In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and-"in which like-reference characters areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the heat applicator device of the present invention resting on a stand specifically designed therefor and provided therewith;

FIG. 2 isa' perspective view of the heat applicator device pr'eparatory to applying heat to an iron-on letter to affik the same: to the article of fabric as illustrated;

FIG; 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the heating head and swivel joint of the heat applicator device; I V A FIG. 4 is anenlarged fragmentary front"elevational view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating swiveled positions of the heating head relative to the handle defining body memberiand l is an electrical schematic diagram of the circuitry of the heat applicator device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT" Referringnowto the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a heat applicator device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and being comprised generally of three component parts, namely a handle defining body member 11, a swivel joint 12, and a heating head 13. Further, a stand or holder 14 is provided for resting the device thereon with the heating head out of contact with any surrounding materials.

The handle defining body member 11 is of an elongated generally cylindrical configuration which tapers in a converging manner at opposite ends thereof in a general cigar-like shape, such being defined by side walls 21, a back end 22, and a front end 23. The handle I l is hollow inside and has provided in a portion of side wall 2] a longitudinally extending slot 24 extending therethrough and receiving therein a manually operated portion of an electric switch 25 movable between an of? position and on position as marked on the body member. The front end 23 of body member 11 is formed as an opening communicating with the interior of the body member.

The swivel joint 12 is of a general ball-and-s ocket type formed by a socket member 31 and a ballmember 32. Socket member 31 includes a cylindrical shaped shaft 33 which extends axially into open handle front end 23 and is permanently affixed therein and which supports on the projecting end thereof a hemi-spherical cup shaped socket defining member 34 having socket opening 35 disposed concentrically therewith and opening thereoutof. The ball member 32 includes a ball 36 captively received in socket 35 for-rotation therein, and a diametrically outwardly extending boss member 37 affixed to the ball 36 and projecting therefromand affixed to heating head 13. In this regard it is to be understood that socket member 31 may be formed-integrally with-handle 11' and-that ball member 32 may be formed integrally with heating head 13. The heating head 13 is of a truncated conicalconfiguration vhaving a flat front surface 41,- a flat back surface 42, and conical side walls 43. The heating head is disposed concentrically with ball member boss 37 which is affixed to back surface 42 thereof. As seen in FlG. 4, the heating head 13 is swivellymovable toa variety of inclinedpositions relativeto the-longitudinal axis of handle :11 through the operation of swivel joint An electric heatingcoil 51 is embedded inheating head 13 and is connected by suitably insulated electric wires 52 which extend through swivel joint 12 and handle 1,1 to a power cord 53 extending outwardly of handle backend 22 and terminating ina plug 54 adapted to be plugged into a conventional household type outlet 55 to provide power to the device 10. It is to be understood that switch 25 is interposed in electrical series relationship between heating coil 51 and power cord 53 so as to selectively control the electrical energization and de-energization of said heating coil. g

'The stand or holder 14 consists of a disc-shaped base 61 having an upwardly directed flange 62 affixed to the top surface 63 thereof and provided with a' notch 64 in the top edge 65 of the flange, the notch adapted to receive therein the frontend portion of handle 11 in a manner retaining heating head 13 out of contact with any surrounding materials. In this manner it is possible to preheat the heating head as well as to rest the device between uses or during cooling of the heatinghead without having to worry about burning or marring other materials or the work surface of the like when using the device 10.

In operation, an individual inserts plug 54 into outlet 55, rests device on stand 14, and places switch 25 in the on position to heat the heating head 13. While the heating head is being heated, the individual takes the iron-on letter or symbol 71 and places it in the desired position on fabric 72 The individual then holds the handle 11 comfortably in one hand, aligns the heating head front surface 41 with the item 71. to be applied to fabric 72, and then engages the item in a juxtapositioned manner to apply heat thereto in a manner to permanently affix the same tothe fabric. Due to the flexibility permitted by swivel joint 12 the individual may hold the handle 11 at a variety of positions relative to the plane of the item 71 being applied for purposes of comfort and to assure proper application of heat thereto. Upon completion of use, the individual merely places switch 25 in the off" position, allowsheating head 13 to cool, unplugs the device from outlet 55, and

returns the same to a storage position. It is to be understood thatthe forrn of this invention herewith shown and described is tobe taken as a preferred example of thesame, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in thisspecification as various changesin the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, whatis claimed 1. A compact heat applicator device intended for use in the affixing of iron-on letters, symbols and the like to fabrics, such as clothing and the like,.the device comprising: I g v v I an elongated hollow handledefining bodymember having a back end and a front end; swivel joint means afiixed to said front end and pro:

jecting axially outwardlyrtherefrom; .a heating heat affixed to a projectingvend of said swivel joint means; .means disposed in said heating head for electrically heating said heatinglhead; and electrical circuit means adapted to connect said electrical heating means to a suitable source of electrical energy. g 

1. A compact heat applicator device intended for use in the affixing of iron-on letters, symbols and the like to fabrics, such as clothing and the like, the device comprising: an elongated hollow handle defining body member having a back end and a front end; swivel joint means affixed to said front end and projecting axially outwardly therefrom; a heating heat affixed to a projecting end of said swivel joint means; means disposed in said heating head for electrically heating said heating head; and electrical circuit means adapted to connect said electrical heating means to a suitable source of electrical energy. 